Flatiron



June 14, 1955 c. R. TURNER 2,710,470

FLATIRON Filed Jan. 4, 1951 v a Sheets-Sheet 1 June 14, 1955 c. R. TURNER FLATIRON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1951 June 14, 1955 c, TURNER 2,710,470

FLATIRON Filed Jan. 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June id, 1955 FLATIRON Charles Roger Turner, Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pa., assignor to Proctor Electric Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 4, 1951, Serial No. 204,322

16 Claims. (Cl. 38-79) This invention relates to fiatirons, and more particularly to supporting arrangements therein whereby the flatiron is movable to a raised position to remove the heated sole plate from an ironing surface.

In the past, the fiatirons of this general type which have gone into use have been characterized by the use of one or more supporting legs extending forwardly from the rear of the flatiron and seatable in a recess or recesses provided in the sole plate. In such flatirons, there has been a tendency for the supporting leg or legs to catch on the material being ironed after the parts have worn to some extent and the supporting leg or legs become slightly displaced from their fully seated position in the sole plate recesses. Moreover, the supporting legs have occupied a substantial area of the sole plate, thus decreasing the eifective area. Furthermore, such flatirons have generally required considerable manipulation on the part of the user, usually being provided with two manually operable elements, namely a trigger element at the front of the flatiron handle to trip the support mechanism and a member at the rear of the handle operable by the heel of the users hand to effect latching of the support member in its fully retracted position. Other objections are also inherent in such prior flatirons.

In the copending application of John H. Hilldale, Serial No. 204,310, filed January 4, 1951, there is disclosed and claimed a support-equipped flatiron which is novelly characterized in that it employs a movable plunger-like support member and actuating means therefor within the confines of the flatiron, said member being movable between a retracted position and a projected position.

The front column of the flatiron handle is at least partially hollow and the space therein is utilized to accommodate the actuating means for the support member and also to permit the desired degree of movement of said member. In its projected position the said member serves to elevate the iron in an inclined position, there being provided stationary supporting means at the rear of the flatiron adapted to engage the ironing surface when the front part of the iron is raised by the supporting member. Such flatiron is superior to the prior type flatiron above mentioned by virtue of the different character and different mode of operation of the supporting member. However the Hilldale flatiron employs two manual elements as in the prior flatiron above mentioned.

The present invention is in the nature of an improvement over the Hilldale flatiron and has for its principal object the provision of a simple and commercially practical device embodying the broad principles of the Hilldale invention. Generally speaking, the present inventionimproves and simplifies the operating mechanism for the support member, and it also eliminates the need for more than one manually operable element.

The device of the present invention is particularly characterized in that it employs an over-center arrangement for actuating the plunger-like supporting member to its retracted and projected positions, the arrangement preferably being such that over-center action of the actuating means occurs in response to predetermined relative movement between the support member and the flatiron. In the preferred form of the device a manual element is provided on the handle for actuation whenever it is desired to effect raising of the fiatiron to its supported position, the said element engaging the plunger-like support member and causing sufficient relative movement between it and the flatiron to effect overcenter action of the actuating means. However, as wiil be seen later, the initial relative movement may be effected by direct manual engagement of the support member. In any case the movement of the support member from its projected position to its retracted position is effected merely by moving the supported flatiron downward toward the ironing surface suihciently to cause over-center action of the actuating means.

The invention may be clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are small scale side elevational views of the flatiron respectively showing the same in operating position and in supported position;

Fig. 3 is a partial bottom view of the rear portion of the flatiron;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the front portion of the flatiron including the support member and its actuating mechanism, with the support member in its retracted position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view with the flatiron in supported position, the support member being in its projected position relative to the flatiron;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-45 of Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 to 10 are sectional views taken along the section lines in Fig. 4 bearing corresponding numbers;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the plunger-like support member;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a clip employed therewith;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the actuating spring;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the manual triggering element;

Figs. 15 and 16 are perspective views of clips employed in the structure;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, showing a modified form of the device; and

Fig. 19 is a similar view of another embodiment.

As may be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the flatiron itself is generally of conventional form, comprising a sole plate 26), a cover plate or shell 21 and a handle 22. In the particular device shown, the cover plate or shell 21 is secured to the sole plate by means of a bolt or threaded stud 23 (Figs. 4 and 5) which is partially embedded in the sole plate 29. The same bolt serves to secure a temperature-response mechanism 24 to the sole plate, said mechanism being adjustable by means of a control knob 25 The handle 22 is secured by means of a pair of screws 26 underlying the knob 25 and threadedly engaging the cover shell 21, and also by a pair of screws 27 (Fig. 1) extending through a heel rest plate 28 and through the cover plate 21, and threadedly engaging the handle. As may be seen in Figs. 4, 5 and 9, the sole plate is provided with electrical heating means 23.

The handle 22 is composed of two sections 30 and 31 which are held together at the rear by the screws 27 and at the front by a pair of screws 32 (Fig. 9). The handle sections are properly indexed by means of interfitting projections and recesses at 33 and 34 (Fig. 1). As will be seen later, the two-section structure of the handle is used to advantage in the provision of the flatiron supporting mechanism hereinafter described.

Referring now to the structure provided in accordance with the present invention, it should be noted first that the front column of the handle 22, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 9, is made hollow to provide an upwardly extending cavity or recess designated generally by reference numeral 35. The iron supporting arrangement provided by the present invention includes an axially-movable plungerlike support member 36, an actuating spring member 37, and a finger operable member 38, these several elements being disposed within the cavity of the front handle column. The spring 37 is arranged for over-center action, as hereinafter described, to effect relative movement between the support member 36 and the fiatiron in response to initial relative movement therebetween. The manual element 38 serves to effect the required initial relative movement to cause raising of the flatiron to its supported position.

Referring to Fig. 11 the plunger-like support member 36 comprises a cylindrical lower portion 39, preferably formed of chrome plated brass for wear resistance, and

an upper portion 46 of rectangular cross-section, the latter having reduced end portion 41 secured by a force fit in a recess in the cylindrical portion 39. A notch 42 is formed in the portion to cooperate with a U-shaped clip 43 (Fig. 12) to secure the central portion of spring 37 (Fig. 13) to the plunger-like member 36. The clip 43 is notched at 44 to form with notch 42 a square hearing for the central portion 45 of the spring 37. As may be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the clip 43 is welded to the plunger-like member, as indicated at 46, in proper position to retain the central portion of the spring as above mentioned. The clip 43 also has projecting edges 47 which are adapted to engage a buffer spring 48 to arrest downward movement of the support member 36 relative to the flatiron. The buffer spring 48 is secured to the cover plate 21 in a manner hereinafter described. A pin 49 carried by member 36 is engageable by the finger operable member 38, while a similar pin 50 which is also carried by member 36 and is adaptable to coact with portions 51 and 52 of the spring 37 to limit the movement of the spring as will be explained hereinafter. The upper part of member 36 is also provided with a camming surface 53 whose purpose will also be explained later.

As may be seen in Fig. 14 the finger operable element 38 is provided with a supporting pin 54 and is bifurcated at 55 to straddle the upper part of the plunger-like member 36. The projecting ends of pin 54 are rotatably held, by a retainer 56, within the wall recesses 57 provided in the handle structure (Figs. 4 and 8). As may be seen in Fig. 15 the retainer 56 has extending fingers 58 which engage the end portions of pin retainer is also provided with slotted portions 59 which are held between the two handle sections, the slots of said portions accommodating the screws 32. A projection 60 (Fig. 4) is provided on the roof of the handle cavity to limit movement of the finger operable element 38. The roof of the cavity serves as a stop to limit upward movement of the support member 36.

As may be seen in Fig. l3 the spring 37 comprises two helical coils 61 and 62 interconnected by the extended central portion 45, and extending ends 63 and 64. It should be noted that the helical coils are oppositely pitched, the coil 61 having a right-handed pitch and the coil 62 having a left-handed pitch. As described above, the central portion 45 is secured to the support member 36 by means of the clip 43. The projecting ends 63 and 64 of the spring are turned outward and seat in recesses provided in the handle structure, as may be clearly seen in Fig. 9. A U-shaped retainer 65 (see Fig. 16) is held by screws 32 and has depending tabs 66 which prevent displacement of the spring ends from their seating recesses. By way of example, in one particular embodiment of fiatiron having a gross weight of approximately 3 and A pounds, a spring made of .039" dia. music wire having five turns of approximately outer diameter in each of the helical coils 61 and 62, was found satisfactory for 54 to retain the same. The

obtaining the proper force, from the standpoint of endurance tests and characteristics for easy retraction of the support member and smooth lifting of the iron when it is so desired.

The retainer 65 also serves to retain a roller 67 (Figs. 5 and 17) which cooperates with the plunger-like member 36 as hereinafter described. Accordingly the Ushaped retainer 65 has its fingers shaped to provide portions 68 which serve to retain the supporting pin 69 of roller 67 within recesses 70 provided in the handle structure. Thus the roller 67 is rotatably supported within the handle cavity 35.

As mentioned above the retainer 65 is held by screws 32. Preferably the retainer is provided with an indexing projection or lug 71 (Fig. 16) which seats in a recess in the handle structure, as may be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the purpose of this being to accurately position the retainer and to maintain it in the desired position.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, as previously mentioned the buffer spring 48 is mounted on the cover plate or shell 21 for coaction with the stop edges 47 of the clip 43 carried by the plunger-like member 36. The buffer spring is formed of high temperature resistant steel Wire, and as shown in Fig. 6 it has inwardly projecting ends 72 for insertion beneath lanced elements 73 of the cover plate. The spring 48 is substantially planar before assembly to the cover, with the exception of the underhung central portion 74 which is engageable by the stop edges 47 0f the clip 43. The cover plate 21 is apertured at 75 to accommodate the plunger-like member 36, and it will be seen in Fig. 6 that the central portion 74 of the spring 48 is disposed centrally of a rectangular area 76 of the aperture 75. On assembly of the spring 48 to the cover 21, a displacement imparted to said spring by embossed areas 77 of the cover preloads the spring by causing it to bear against the underside of the cover at the sides of the central portion 74.

The lower cylindrical portion 39 of the plunger-like member 36 is supported and guided by a bushing 78 (Figs. 4, 5 and 9) which is carried by the sole plate 20. The sole plate apertured as shown at 79 to accommodate the plunger-like member 36 of the lower part of the aperture 79 is enlarged to accommodate the bushing '78. This bushing is formed of a graphite-Bakelite composition known commercially as Graphitar. It is held in position by a retaining ring 80 which may be formed of a material similar to that of the sole plate and which is pressed into position and machined fiush with the planar surface of the sole plate.

Reference has already been made to the heel rest plate 28 through which the screws 27 stem. As may be seen in Fig. 3, plate 23 is formed of a generally rectangular stamping provided with two holes to accommodate the screws 27. This plate is shaped to provide a rest portion 81 which extends transversely across the plate and is adapted to engage an ironing surface, such as represented at 82, when the iron is tilted upwardly by the support member 36. A heat insulating strip 83 (Fig. l) is provided between the plate 28 and extension 84 at the rear of the sole plate through which the screws 27 extend. The strip 83 prevents excessive heat transfer to the heel rest plate 28. As shown in Fig. 3, clearance is provided between the outer edge of plate 28 and the overhanging rear portion 84 of the cover plate 21, the purpose of this clearance being to prevent excessive heat transfer. It should be noted that the heel rest is especially designed and disposed so that there is no interference with the work being ironed or catching of the work at the interface of the heel rest and the rear edge of the sole plate.

Considering the operation or" the device, during ironing the plunger-like member 36 is disposed in its retracted position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and in such position it does not interfere in any way with the ironing operation. Whenever it is desired to raise the flatiron to the supported position the operator merely lifts the projecting end of the trigger member 33 upward with one finger and at the same time raises the front part of the flatiron. Rotation of the trigger member 38 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, causes downward motion of the plunger-like member 36 and thus causes translation of the central portion 45 of the spring 37. Consequently the coil portions of the spring are moved from the position of Fig. 4 about the fixed end pivots of the spring toward the position of Fig. 5. The required displacement of the plunger-like member 36 by the trigger member 38 need only be suflicient to drive the central portion of the spring beyond the effective dead center portion of the linkage system. Upon such displacement of the plunger-like member 36, the stored energy in the coils 61 and 62 and the flexed arm portions of the spring completes the remainder of the downward stroke of the plunger-like member 36, with consequent lifting of the fiatiron to the position of Figs. 2 and 5.

Engagement of the stop edges 47 with the buffer spring 48 finally arrests the downward travel of member 36 relative to the fiatiron. Since there is still some energy stored in the spring coils there is some tendency for the coils to snap over center from the position of Fig. 5. Pin 50 on member 36 prevents this rebounding movement of the spring coils to any deleterious extent. With the plunger-like member 36 in its projected position, as shown in Fig. 5, the force exerted by the spring 37 is sufiicient to maintain the fiatiron in raised position above the ironing surface, but such force is below a predetermined maximum to permit the retracting stroke of the plunger to be performed easily and smoothly.

When the user desires to place the flatiron in its operative position, pressure is exerted upon the forward part of the handle to cause downward movement of the fiatiron, which is equivalent to upward movement of the plunger-like member 36 relative to the flatiron. This causes upward movement of the central portion 45 of spring 37 and also causes storage of energy in the spring coils 61 and 62 until the over-center position is reached. At this instant the downward component of force exerted by the spring is reversed into an upward force component tending to move the plunger-like member 36 to its uppermost or retracted position wherein the top of said member engages the roof of the cavity 35, as shown in Fig. 4. During the retraction stroke, the main body or coil portion of the spring 37 is at first moved in a counter-clockwise direction. As the stroke progresses a reversal of this movement takes place until the over-center position is passed and the body of the spring swings very rapidly to the position shown in Fig. 4.

it should be pointed out that if the iron is lowered so that the bottom of the plunger 36 is within approximately Ms of the sole plate, the plunger will automatically be carried into the fully retracted position. This permits retraction of the plunger on relatively soft ironing table cover surfaces. The normal clearance between the bottom of the plunger and the sole plate ironing surface, as shown in Fig. 9, has been found sufiicient to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

During the latter part of the retraction stroke the roller 67 coacts with the cam surface 53 on member 36, causing the cam surface to ride up on the roller thereby generally forcing the top of the plunger and with it the central portion of the spring to the right. In this embodiment, the camming surface provided is such to keep the spring ends in nearly the same relative position thus pro Viding a substantially constant force output of the spring in the range of the upward stroke above the overcenter position of the member 36. During lifting of the iron to its inoperative position, this camming action cooperates with the trigger-actuating surface, controlling the trigger work characteristics and making the trigger easier to actuate. During retraction of the plunger, the camming action tends to reduce the amount of energy that would have to be absorbed by the stop.

Attention should be directed to the low friction characteristic of the slidable mounting for plunger 36 which consists essentially of the slide bushing 78 near the bottom of the iron and the coaction of camming surface 53 of the plunger 36 and the roller 67. The lateral component of force exerted by spring 37 keeps theplunger biased against the roller throughout its entire stroke, while a measure of the force is effective upon the forward part of the bushing 73 during the greater portion of the plunger stroke.

The buffer spring 48 solves a problem which heretofore has been troublesome in prior art devices. It has been observed that the user at times will lift the iron off the ironing table and press the trigger to effect operation of the support arrangement. In a stored energy type of support where more energy must be stored than that necessary to merely move the lift member by itself, this not to be recommended mode of operation causes undue stress in the members, accompanied by excessive wear, distortion of. the parts, and loss of adjustment. The overall design of this embodiment and particularly the buffer spring 48 absorbs this energy harmlessly, effecting increased useful life and otherwise solving the problem.

Manufacturing tolerances, wear in the parts, lack of dimensional stability in the handle parts and differential expansion of the sole plate, cover plate and handle parts have been serious problems in former devices. The present arrangement tends to eliminate these difficulties. For instance, tests have shown that even upon excessive wear of the bushing member 78 the operation was not adversely affected. Further, it will be appreciated that the relative distances between, for example, the fixed pivot for spring 37, the pivot for roller 67 and the trigger 54 pivot are not excessively critical. Change in location of the spring pivot and trigger pivot is reflected merely as a small change in trigger movement. Change in distance between the roller and fixed spring pivot is reflected in only a slight increase in the dead zone of the over-center action of the plunger stroke. The chance of excessive variations between any of these pivotal distances is, however, slight, because of the proximity of the pivotal connections.

Of particular interest is the ease of assembly and disassembly of the support arrangement. The trigger 38 is placed in the upper handle member 31 and the retainer 56 then placed in position. The lower member 30 of the handle, with the supply cord preassembled thereto, is placed below the upper handle member, and the ends of spring 37, which is preassembled to the plunger 36 by clip 43, are inserted in their pivot holes; roller 67 is set into its proper position and the retainer 65 is then secured to the roof of cavity 35 by screws 32. The handle and plunger, as originally assembled, take up relative posi tions similar to those shown in Fig. 5 except that the spring 37 is unstressed and the plunger is further extended. The plunger is then forced inward, thereby compressing spring 37, until a position similar to that of Fig. 5 is assumed. The sole plate 20 having slide bearing 78 and the cover plate 21 with buffer spring 48 secured thereto are preassembled by stud connection 23, and the handle assembly and sole plate and cover plate assembly are secured by screws 27, fastened through heel rest 28 and insulating strip 83. Screws 26 secure the forward part of the handle.

The positioning of spring 37 in the subassembly of the spring and plunger 36 is maintained in correct orientation by step pin $1) on said plunger, i. e., with the extension arms 51 and 52 to the right of pin 56 as viewed in Fig. 5.

The support arrangement in the above-described embodiment is actuated by a finger-actuated member located at the base forward end of the handle adjacent the front column for easy access to the users finger. Fig. 18 shows an alternate arrangement wherein a fingerpiece is pivoted to the handle but is actuatable from the top of the handle. Thus instead of a trigger action as in the device of Figs. 1 to 17, the actuation is by the thumb of the user. The actuation of the plunger 36 is through a recess 86 engageable with the top of said plunger.

Fig. 19 shows an alternate arrangement also actuatable by the users thumb. Here plunger 36, provided with an insulated finger-engaging button 87, is sufficiently long to be projected above the top of the forward end of the handle. In the lifted position of the iron, the plunger top will be below the top surface. In this instance, the plunger is guided by the handle, and the roller 67 is omitted. It will be noted that the devices of Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 use the cooperation of an enlarged foot portion of the plunger 36 and the recessed shoulder 88 in the apertured sole plate to provide a limit stop for upward movement of said plunger.

While several embodiments of this invention have been shown, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that this invention and the details thereof are capable of modification without departing from the real spirit and purpose of this invention.

I claim:

I. A fiatiron having a handle including a front column with an upwardly-extending recess, a movable plungerlike support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and an over-center mechanism within said recess operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction suificiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

2. A fiatiron having a handle including a front column with an upwardly-extending recess, a movable plungerlike support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said recess operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction sufliciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and a manual element on said handle engageable with said member to move the same from its retracted position sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

3. In a fiatiron, a plunger-like support member at the front part of the fiatiron mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and over-center spring means comprising a pair of coil portions interconnected by an extended central portion connected to said member and extended end portions connected to fixed points on the fiatiron, said spring means being arranged for overcenter action upon predetermined movement of said member from either of said positions to effect movement of said member to the other position.

4. In a fiatiron, stationary support means at the rear of the fiatiron adapted to engage an ironing surface when the front part of the fiatiron is raised, a handle including a front column with an upwardly-extending recess, a movable plungerlike support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement between an' upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an overcenter mechanism within said recess operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism,

and a manual element on said handle engageable with said member to move the same from its retracted position sufiiciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

5. In a fiatiron, a sole plate, a cover shell therefor, a handle structure having a front column with an upwardly-extending recess, said shell and said sole plate having openings aligned with each other and with said recess, a plunger-like support member arranged for movement in said openings and said recess between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and an over-center mechanism within said recess operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

6. In a fiatiron, stationary support means at the rear of the fiatiron adapted to engage an ironing surface when the front part of the fiatiron is raised, a sole plate, a cover shell therefor, a handle structure having a front column with an upwardly-extending recess, said shell and said sole plate having openings aligned with each other and with said recess, a plunger-like support arranged for movement in said openings and said recess between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said recess operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction sul'ficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and a manual element on said handle engageable with said member to move the same from its retracted position sufiiciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

7. In a fiatiron, a plunger-like member at the front part of the fiatiron mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and over-center spring means operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction sufficiently to effect over-center action of said spring means, said spring means having a pair of coil portions disposed with their axes substantially horizontal and interconnected by an extended central portion and also having extended end portions, said spring means being connected to the fiatiron and to said member at its extended end and central portions respectively.

8. A fiatiron having a handle including a front column with an upwardly-extending recess, a movable plunger-like support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and an over-center mechanism within said recess operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon relative positioning of said member and said mechanism such that the latter is over center in either direction.

9. In a fiatiron, a sole plate having a forwardly disposed opening therein, a handle having an upwardlyextending recess in the front part thereof, a plunger-like support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement to recede upwardly within the fiatiron and to project downwardly through the sole plate opening from the bottom of the fiatiron, said support memher when retracted upwardly permitting use of the flatiron and when projected downwardly serving to support the front part of the fiatiron in elevated position above an ironing surface, a manual element on the front part of said handle engageable with said member to move the same from its upwardly retracted position, and an over-center mechanism within the front part of the flatiron operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said support member to effect raising of the fiatiron upon manual downward movement of said member sufficient to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and to retract said support member upon downward movement of the fiatiron by manual pressure on said handle sufficient to effect reverse over-center action of said mechanism.

10. In a fiatiron, a sole plate having a forwardly disposed opening therein, a handle having an upwardlyextending recess in the front part thereof, a plungerlike support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement to recede upwardly within the fiatiron and to project downwardly through the sole plate opening from the bottom of the fiatiron, said support member when retracted upwardly permitting use of the fiatiron and When projected downwardly serving to support the front part of the fiatiron in elevated position above an ironing surface, said member having an extension at its upper end'which projects from the handle when said member is in its upwardly reracted position, whereby said member may be moved manually from its upwardly retracted position, and an over-center mechanism within the front part of the fiatiron operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said support member to effect raising of the fiatiron upon manual downward movement of said member sufficient to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and to retract said support member upon downward movement of the fiatiron by manual pressure on said handle sufficient to effect reverse over-center action of said mechanism.

11. In a fiatiron, a sole plate having a forwardly disposed opening therein, a handle, a plunger-like support member mounted for movement to recede upwardly within the fiatiron and to project downwardly through the sole plate opening from the bottom of the fiatiron, said support member when retracted upwardly permitting use of the fiatiron and when projected downwardly serving to support the front part of the fiatiron in elevated position above an ironing surface, means to move said support member manually from its upwardly retracted position, an over-center mechanism within the front part of the fiatiron operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said support member to effect raising of the fiatiron upon manual downward movement of said member sufficient to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and to retract said support member upon downward movement of the fiatiron by manual pressure on said handle sufficient to effect reverse over-center action of said mechanism, a lateral projection on said member, and buffer spring means mounted on the fiatiron in the path of downward movement of said projecttion for engagement thereby to absorb impact energy in the stoppage of said member at its downwardly projected position.

12. In a fiatiron, a sole plate having a forwardly disposed opening therein, a handle, a plunger-like support member slidably mounted for movement to recede upwardly within the fiatiron and to project downwardly through the sole plate opening from the bottom of the fiatiron, said support member when retracted upwardly permitting use of the flatiron and when projected downwardly serving to support the front part of the fiatiron in elevated position above an ironing surface, a roller mounted on the fiatiron for engagement by a side of said member, means to move said support member manually from its upwardly retracted position, and an overcenter mechanism within the front part of the fiatiron operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said support member to effect raising of the fiatiron upon manual downward movement of said member sufficient to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and to retract said support member upon downward movement of the fiatiron by manual pressure on said handle sufficient to effect reverse over-center action of said mechanism, said mechanism being arranged in cooperative relation with said roller to serve additionally to urge said member against said roller.

13. A fiatiron according to claim 12, further including a cam surface on said member engageable with said roller to enhance the operation.

14. In a fiatiron, a handle having an upwardly-extending recess in the front part thereof, a movable plunger-like support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and an over-center mechanism within the front part of the fiatiron operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon relative positioning of said member and said mechanism such that the latter is over center in either direction.

15. In a fiatiron, a handle having an upwardly-extending recess in the front part thereof, a movable plunger-like support member extending into said recess and mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within the front part of the fiatiron operatively connected to the flatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon relative positioning of said member and said mechanism such that the latter is over center in either direction, and manually-operable means for effecting over-center action of said mechanism in the direction to project said member and thus raise the fiatiron, downward pressure on said handle effecting reverse overcenter action of said mechanism to retract said member.

16. In a fiatiron, a plunger-like member at the front part of the fiatiron mounted for movement between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly projected position in which latter position the said member supports the front part of the fiatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, and over-center spring means operatively connected to the fiatiron and to said member to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of said member in either direction sufficiently to effect over-center action of said spring means, said spring means having a pair of coil portions disposed with their axes substantially horizontal in aligned relation, said spring means also having an extended central portion interconnecting said coil portions and also having extended end portions, through which extended portions the spring means is connected to said member and to the fiatiron.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,072,217 Reed Mar. 2, 1937 2,185,915 Ginder Jan. 2, 1940 2,224,896 Burian Dec. 17, 1940 2,302,365 Bircks Nov. 17, 1942 2,308,941 Stevenson Jan. 19, 1943 2,422,505 Tangeman June 17, 1947 2,470,532 Thomas May 17, 1949 2,501,549 Swenson Mar. 21, 1950 2,596,314 Wales May 13, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 68,076 Norway Oct. 13, 1942 

